Townsend's Big-Eared Bat (Corynorhinus Townsendii): a Technical Conservation Assessment, USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region
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Wyoming Species Account Townsend’s Big-eared Bat Corynorhinus townsendii REGULATORY STATUS USFWS: No special status USFS R2: Sensitive UWFS R4: Sensitive Wyoming BLM: Sensitive State of Wyoming: Nongame Wildlife CONSERVATION RANKS USFWS: No special status WGFD: NSS3 (Bb), Tier II WYNDD: G4, S2B/S1N Wyoming Contribution: LOW IUCN: Least Concern STATUS AND RANK COMMENTS Two subspecies of Townsend’s Big-eared Bat (Corynorhinus townsendii), Virginia Big-Eared Bat (C. (formerly Plecotus) t. virginianus) and Ozark Big-eared Bat (C. (formerly Plecotus) t. ingens), were listed as Endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 1979 1. Neither subspecies occurs in Wyoming. Townsend’s Big-eared Bat has been assigned both a breeding season and non-breeding season state conservation rank by the Wyoming Natural Diversity Database because of increased extrinsic stressors during hibernation. NATURAL HISTORY Taxonomy: There are five recognized subspecies of Townsend’s Big Eared Bat. The geographic distribution of these subspecies has previously been called into question by taxonomic authorities 2. The most recent literature indicates that only C. t. townsendii occurs in Wyoming 2-4. Earlier authors also assigned C. t. pallescens throughout much of western North America, including Wyoming 4. Prior to 1992, Townsends Big-eared Bat was included in the genus Plecotus. Phylogenetic evidence based on morphological and genetic differences placed New World Big-eared Bats in the genus Corynorhinus 5. It is important to note that literature from the New World prior to this time refers to Townsend’s Big-eared Bat as P. townsendii. Additionally, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service still uses the genus Plecotus for Virginia Big-eared Bat and Ozark Big- eared Bat. Description: Townsend’s Big-eared Bat is easily identified in the field. The species is medium in size among bat species that occur in Wyoming. As the common name suggests, Townsend’s Big-eared Bat has large, rounded ears ranging from 30–39 mm in length with long, pointed tragi measuring 11– 17 mm. When in torpor or hibernation, the ears may curl back, forming distinctive “rams horns”. The species also has a distinctive nose with large, raised pararhinal glands that form a “U” over Page 1 of 10 Wyoming Species Account the top of the snout 3. Dorsal pelage is slate gray with hair tips ranging from cinnamon to black- brown. Ventral pelage is slightly lighter in color and ranges from light slate gray to buff. In many populations, females are slightly larger than males but are otherwise identical in appearance 6. Other large-eared bat species found in Wyoming include Spotted Bat (Euderma maculatum) and Pallid Bat (Antrozous pallidus). Unlike Townsend’s Big-eared Bat, Spotted Bat has black dorsal pelage with three white spots, and Pallid Bat is smaller with inconspicuous pararhinal glands 3. Distribution & Range: Townsend’s Big-eared Bat is widely distributed across the western half of North America from British Columbia to southern Mexico. Wyoming marks the northeastern edge of this distribution, and confirmed breeding has been documented in 5 of the 28 latitude/longitude degree blocks in the state 7. Two subspecies exist in geographically disparate populations in the eastern United States and include Virginia Big-eared Bat, which is found in Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, and Ozark Big-eared Bat, which is found in Arkansas and Oklahoma 1. Changes in distribution may be observed seasonally as the species moves between summer habitat and winter hibernacula. However, Townsend’s Big-eared Bat typically does not undergo long-distance migrations, with movements of approximately 64 km or less reported in portions of its range 6. Habitat: Across its range, Townsend’s Big-eared Bat is found in a variety of xeric to mesic upland habitats ranging from shrublands to woodlands to montane forests 3, 6, 8, 9. At regional and local scales, distribution is limited by suitable roosting habitat. The species is considered a cave obligate, requiring natural caves or cave-like structures, such as abandoned mines, throughout the year. In the summer, day roosts generally include caves and mines, although the species will occasionally use abandoned buildings or large hollow trees 3. Males roost singly in cooler locations, while females congregate in maternity colonies in warmer areas. In winter, Townsend’s Big-eared Bat hibernates in caves and mines. Within hibernacula, the species selects relatively cold locations, often near the entrance or other areas that experience air movement, but may move to warmer locations during extreme cold 6. Phenology: The phenology of Townsend’s Big-eared Bat in Wyoming is largely unknown but is assumed to be similar to other portions of its range. The species hibernates from early fall to early spring. Movements from summer range to winter hibernacula begin in late summer, with individuals arriving at hibernacula by October 3. Reproductive phenology is similarly unknown in Wyoming. In California, mating occurred primarily in the fall but was occasionally documented throughout the winter. Females store sperm over the winter and ovulate upon arousal from hibernation in the spring. A single pup is born following a 40–60 day gestation period. Juveniles are capable of flight at about 3 weeks of age but continue to nurse for up to 6 weeks following birth 3, 6. Diet: Townsend’s Big-eared Bat is strictly insectivorous and primarily consumes small moths in the family Lepidoptera 10. Page 2 of 10 Wyoming Species Account CONSERVATION CONCERNS Abundance: Continental: WIDESPREAD Wyoming: UNCOMMON There are no robust abundance estimates for Townsend’s Big-eared Bat in Wyoming. While the species is widely distributed across Wyoming in a number of different habitat types, Townsend’s Big-eared Bat typically represents a very small proportion of mist-net captures and acoustic recordings, suggesting that the species occurs at low density in the state 11-21. However, Townsend’s Big-eared Bat is commonly detected during hibernacula surveys across Wyoming 22. Population Trends: Historic: UNKNOWN Recent: UNKNOWN There are no robust population trend estimates for Townsend’s Big-eared Bat in Wyoming. However, several authors have reported marked declines in abundance across the western United States over the past several decades 3. It is unknown if similar trends have occurred in Wyoming. Intrinsic Vulnerability: HIGH VULNERABILITY Townsend’s Big-eared Bat is highly vulnerable to extrinsic stressors. The species is considered an obligate of caves and abandoned mines, and it is thought that the distribution and abundance of populations is limited by the presence of suitable, undisturbed roost sites on the landscape 3. Additionally, Townsend’s Big-eared Bat displays high site fidelity, especially at hibernacula and maternity colonies. Given the inherent rarity of these features on the landscape, the species may be unable to find new roost sites should existing sites be lost or degraded 3. Townsend’s Big- eared Bat exhibits low fecundity, with females giving birth to a single pup each year 6. This makes it difficult for populations to recover following declines. Extrinsic Stressors: MODERATELY STRESSED The primary stressor to Townsend’s Big-eared Bat in Wyoming and across its continental distribution is the loss, modification, and disturbance of roosting habitat. Disturbance from visitors to caves and abandoned mines represents a substantial stressor to bats using these structures. During hibernation, even a small number of disturbances can lead to a significant increase in arousal events and energy expenditure that may increase mortality of hibernating bats 9, 23, 24. Townsend’s Big-eared Bat may be more prone to disturbance during hibernation than other bat species because it often selects locations near the entrance of caves and mines. Additionally, the species is reliant upon caves and abandoned mines year round, making it prone to disturbance throughout the year. Abandonment of roosts used as hibernation sites and maternity sites following human disturbance has been documented across the species’ range 3. Townsend’s Big-eared Bat may also be vulnerable to White-Nose Syndrome (WNS). The pathogenic fungus that causes WNS, Pseudogymnoascus destructans (formerly Geomyces destructans), was unintentionally introduced to North America in 2006 25 and has led to large declines of several bat species in eastern North America 25. P. destructans has been documented on a subspecies of Townsend’s Big-eared Bat, Virginia Big-eared Bat, but no mortalities resulting from WNS have been documented in this subspecies to date 26. It is currently unknown if and how WNS will affect Townsend’s Big-eared Bat in the west. Page 3 of 10 Wyoming Species Account KEY ACTIVITIES IN WYOMING State and federal wildlife and land management agencies have taken several actions to protect Townsend’s Big-eared Bat and other bat species from WNS. Specifically, the Black Hills National Forest implemented an adaptive management strategy for caves and abandoned mines to limit the potential for introduction and spread of WNS 27, 28. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) along with the Wyoming Bat Working Group developed “A strategic plan for white-nose syndrome in Wyoming” in 2011 29. This plan is intended to minimize the impacts of WNS if it is detected in Wyoming or adjacent states. To facilitate early detection of the disease, WGFD requires researchers to evaluate all bats captured during research activities for signs of WNS infection using the Reichard Wing-Damage Index 30, and to implement WNS decontamination protocols when handling bats or conducting hibernacula surveys. Beginning in 2012, WGFD personnel placed temperature and humidity loggers in a number of known or suspected hibernacula across Wyoming to determine if climatic conditions at these sites are favorable for growth of P. destructans. Preliminary results suggest that temperature and relatively humidity in known hibernacula could facilitate the growth of the fungus 22, 31.